Actonel

Uses of Actonel

Actonel is a prescription medicine used to treat osteoporosis caused by menopause in women, the use of steroid medication, and gonadal failure. This medicine works by altering bone formation and breakdown in the body. This process slows down bone loss and prevents fractures.

Actonel is available under the generic name Risedronate. It is also used to improve bone mass in men and treat a condition called Paget’s disease.

Precautions and Warnings

Do not use Actonel if you are allergic to it, especially to its active ingredient, risedronate. If you experience severe cases of chest pain and heartburn, obtain immediate medical care.

To ensure Actonel is safe to use, inform your healthcare professional if you have a history of the following conditions:

• Digestion problems
• Kidney disease
• Liver problems
• Dental issues
• Malabsorption
• Hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium in the blood)

Dosage

Actonel is available in different strengths – 5 mg, 30 mg, 35 mg, and 150 mg. Its recommended dosages are as follows:

For osteoporosis (contains three dosage options):

• Take one dose of 5 mg of Actonel daily.
• Take one dose of 35 mg of Actonel once a week.
• Take one dose of 150 mg of Actonel once a month.

For Paget’s disease:

• Take 30 mg of Actonel orally once daily for 2 months.

Side Effects

Common side effects:

• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Stomach pain
• Back pain
• Joint pain
• Muscle cramps
• Difficulty swallowing
• Numbness
• Headache